Print papers need to highlight online content
So my mom handed me the CLT observer this morning and told me that there was a “very sweet piece” about an elderly lifeguard that I should read. So I picked up the paper – the story ran on the front of one of the inside sections, I forget which.
It’s a really nice article – Ed McCarthy is an 83-year-old lifeguard at the YMCA. He’s the world’s oldest lifeguard, and he didn’t pick up swimming until his 60s. The other lifeguards and people who swim at the pool say he’s quite the hottie in his Speedo.
There’s video to accompany the article. I watched it online early last week. Nice video, too. McCarthy talking about his job and why he enjoys it. The hottie lifeguard is interesting to listen to.
If you look at the article online, it links to the video.
If you look at the print version, at no point does it tell you anywhere (before or after the jump) that there is video if only you go online. No where. There are multiple photos, there’s a brief section of bio, and no where is there a “Hear Ed McCarthy talk about life guarding at charlotte.com.”
Why is there no online refer? Why?! You have this great online content, and you aren’t selling it! Don’t assume your Sunday reader is the 40+ thinks-the-Internet-means-going-”on the line.” If print papers want to get readers to the Web site, they have to point them there. They can’t – and won’t – find that content on their own. Give them a reason to, and maybe they will.
